MASINDI DFA ON SPOT OVER CORRUPTION

By Innocent Atuganyira
In Masindi

The chairpersons of at least four football clubs in Masindi district want Masindi District Football Association (DFA) probed on allegations of corruption.

The football clubs are Nyantonzi United, Buliima, Kabango United, and Starlight, which are supposed to play in the district’s 4th Division League.

Mr. Thokerunga Ruben, the chairperson of Nyantonzi United Football Club, explains that they paid some registration money to DFA, but to their dismay, they are normally sidelined and are demanded to pay exorbitant amounts for unclear reasons.

‘’We were supposed to pay 350,000 shillings to cater for the registration and other activities. At first we paid 50,000 to get a certificate, then 100,000 shillings for the 2022 Christmas tournament, which didn’t take place,’’ he said.

He said that they filled out the registration forms and delivered them to DFA. After two weeks, they received a phone call from the DFA chairperson asking for 100,000 shillings to register them online, which they paid.

‘’In total, we paid 250,000 shillings; since the Christmas tournament didn’t take place, we requested the DFA to transfer the money to cater for the registration,’’ he said.

Mr. Thokerunga, who was speaking on behalf of other football clubs, disclosed that they were denied the online link for registering their players until the day of the deadline, but to their surprise, the DFA requested two million shillings from the football clubs that failed to register in order to be registered after the deadline.

He also blamed the DFA for not communicating with them formally, adding that there is general mistreatment of the local clubs whenever an issue comes up, yet alternative means of dispute resolution exist.

While addressing the media on Wednesday at Hotel Victory Bijja Masindi, Mr. Mbiheebwa Edward, the Executive Director of CODNET Uganda, acknowledged receiving the petition from the above football clubs.

Mr. Mbiheebwa condemned the act and said that it buries the talents of many upcoming football players, which in the end prevent them from tapping into better opportunities.

‘’I have followed up on the matter by writing a letter to the FUFA Bunyoro region committee member, the district sports officer, and other concerned offices to ensure the matter is addressed,’’ he said.

The executive director therefore called upon urgent interventions by the concerned people in respect to the matters under question to promote the talents of young people in Masindi and beyond.

When contacted, the Masindi District Football Association Chairperson, Mr. Abigaba Murushidi, refuted the allegations of charging football club’s exorbitant money, saying that the football clubs playing in the 5th and 4th divisions pay 200,000 and 250,000 shillings, respectively, to register with the DFA.